CBI questions yoga guru Ramdev over missing priest

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the disappearance of Mahant Shankardev, has questioned yoga guru Ramdev in Delhi to seek clarifications about facts related to the incident and to ascertain his role, if any.

A top CBI official told Hindustan Times, “We have questioned Baba Ramdev in Delhi about facts related to the disappearance of Shankardev. If required we will seek more clarifications from him.” Four months ago, the CBI had in May also questioned Ramdev’s aide Balkrishna as part of its probe.

Shankar Dev was the chief patron of Divya Yog Mandir Trust, Haridwar. Shankardev, who was the alleged mentor of Ramdev and Balkrishna, had disappeared under mysterious circumstances on July 14, 2007, when he allegedly went for his morning walk but never returned to his Kankhal ashram in Haridwar. The agency suspects he could have been abducted, according to another CBI source.

The CBI suspects that the priest’s disappearance could have been linked financial dispute. The agency has put under its scanner the trust’s financial transactions, including those pertaining to revenue, during the months preceding and following Shankar Dev’s disappearance, said the source.

The CBI is also verifying if the priest was suffering from ailments and had debts at the time he went traceless.